Industry News

The Kamberg community in KwaZulu-Natal, through its partnership with Vodacom and private security, has installed a second layer of security surrounding three Vodacom towers in the area and apprehended two battery thieves.

In a statement, Vodacom said the community installed electric fencing surrounding three towers in the area that battery thieves frequently hit.

This will help mitigate the theft of critical components from base stations, including their battery backups.

According to Vodacom, restoring connectivity after incidents of theft or vandalism costs upwards of R70,000 per site and as much as R100 million per year.

This money could be put towards network upgrades and enhancements.

The mobile network operator said its partnership with the community will pave the way for a new community-led model to ensure the safety and security of base station sites in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Critically, this will ensure uninterrupted access to connectivity benefits everyone in the area,” added Vodacom.

The mobile operator said cellular base stations often serve as the only form of connectivity for many remote communities.

“When these sites are vandalised, or batteries are stolen, hundreds of thousands of residents are left without connectivity,” it added.

“This not only affects individuals and small businesses but also has serious consequences in emergency situations when making a call can be a matter of life and death.”

After installing the electric fence surrounding Vodacom’s towers, Kamberg community members and private security managed to nab two thieves for trying to steal batteries.

“The community, working together with a private security company, apprehended two criminals that broke into Vodacom’s site in the area and successfully secured two stolen batteries from the thieves,” said Vodacom.

Executive head of operations for Vodacom’s KwaZulu-Natal region, Molefe Mahlangu, says the local community is always the number one line of defence against vandalism at its towers.

“We cannot combat this issue alone and appreciate that police and private security cannot be everywhere, hence our appeals to communities to get involved,” he said.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal says it has invested in robust security measures to address battery theft and vandalism, including installing security cameras to monitor sites and deploying trained security personnel.

Highly-secure battery cabinets and hardened site containers have also been installed, making it more difficult for thieves to gain access.

“In addition, the region is working closely with law enforcement agencies, communities, and security companies to arrest thieves for prosecution with several cases awaiting trial,” says Vodacom.

Source: Extensia

Broadband adoption remains limited in Africa. For example, approximately 73% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa does not use mobile internet. 

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced the implementation of its Africa-BB-Maps project, in partnership with the European Union Commission. The initiative aims to identify broadband gaps on the continent in order to address them more effectively.

“Broadband mapping, combined with modern geographic information systems (GIS) and their practical expertise, makes it possible to effectively identify areas of insufficient connectivity, plan network expansion to the most critical areas, and support decision-making based on evidence-based models,” explains the ITU.

This regional event on national broadband mapping systems in Africa was held on March 26-27, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This comes after an initial announcement on the sidelines of the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators 2024, held in Kampala, Uganda.

In addition to these countries, the project currently involves nine other African countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. A budget of 15 million euros ($16.2 million) over four years has been set aside for the initiative.

This initiative comes as we approach the deadline set by African governments in the “African Union Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020-2030” to ensure near-universal broadband connectivity across the continent. Currently, approximately 320 million people, representing 27% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa, are connected to the mobile internet, according to the Global Association of Mobile Phone Operators (GSMA). Of the 870 million people who are not yet using this technology, 160 million are not covered by a mobile broadband network at all.

Although this project has the potential to promote broadband adoption in Africa, it remains limited for the time being to around ten countries, on a continent that has more than 50. To date, the ITU and the EU Commission have not specified whether its deployment will be extended to other countries in the future. 

Source: Extensia

Ghana’s mobile money sector has recorded a surge in the first two months of 2025, reaching a total transaction value of GH¢649.2 billion, according to data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

This marks a 64.68 per cent year-on-year increase, reflecting the rapid adoption of digital financial services across the country.

In January 2025, mobile money transactions amounted to GH¢333 billion, before experiencing a slight decline to GH¢316.2 billion in February 2025. Despite the month-on-month dip, the overall figures indicate a sustained upward trend in mobile money adoption.

Comparatively, in the same period of 2024, mobile money transactions were valued at GH¢394.2 billion. The sharp increase in transaction volumes highlights growing consumer confidence in mobile money as a convenient and secure financial transaction method.

In 2024, total mobile money transactions reached an unprecedented GH¢3.0192 trillion, reflecting a 57.90 per cent year-on-year growth. With the removal of the E-Levy, experts predict that Ghana’s mobile money market will expand at an even faster pace in the coming months.
Rising Mobile Money usage and agent expansion

The growth of Ghana’s mobile money sector is further demonstrated by the increasing number of registered accounts. As of February 2025, the total number of registered mobile money accounts stood at 74.1 million, up from 66.9 million during the same period in 2024.

Moreover, the number of registered mobile money agents reached 896,000, with 411,000 active agents providing financial services across the country. These agents play a vital role in enhancing financial inclusion, especially in rural and underserved communities, where access to traditional banking services remains limited.
Optimistic outlook for Ghana’s Mobile Money industry

The abolition of the E-Levy is expected to drive further growth in mobile money transactions, bolstering Ghana’s fintech landscape. With increasing trust in digital financial platforms and the expanding agent network, mobile money is poised to remain a dominant force in Ghana’s financial sector.

Source: Kweku Zurek ( Graphic online)

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has raised alarm over a significant rise in online fraud, with financial losses surging to GH₵4.4 million between January and March 2025. This marks a sharp increase from the GH₵2.4 million recorded during the same period in 2024.

According to the CSA, 350 cases of cyber fraud have been reported so far this year, as scammers exploit digital platforms to target unsuspecting victims.
Festive seasons targeted by cybercriminals.

With ongoing Eid celebrations and the upcoming Easter festivities, the CSA has cautioned the public to remain vigilant against cybercriminals who take advantage of heightened commercial activity during such periods.
The Authority identified three major tactics used by scammers:

• Fake Online Shops: Fraudsters create counterfeit online stores or impersonate legitimate businesses on social media, luring victims with heavily discounted prices. Victims send money but never receive their purchases.
• Brand Impersonation: Scammers manipulate search engine results to display fake business listings, tricking customers into engaging with fraudulent contacts. Once a payment is made, victims are blocked, and the promised goods or services never materialise.
• Phishing Scams: Cybercriminals send deceptive emails or messages posing as businesses, romantic partners, or organisations offering festive deals. Clicking on these links can install malware or steal sensitive personal information.

Public urged to exercise caution

The CSA has advised consumers to take precautionary measures when shopping online:

• Verify Online Retailers: Use reputable e-commerce platforms and check reviews before making purchases.
• Avoid Advance Payments: Only pay after inspecting and receiving the item. Ensure mobile money transactions are made to official business accounts.
• Beware of Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals: Unsolicited messages promising massive discounts could be scams.
• Protect Personal Information: Do not share Ghana Card details, bank account numbers, or credit card information with unknown sources.

The CSA has also urged the public to report suspected cyber fraud incidents via its 24-hour helpline: Call or Text – 292, WhatsApp – 0501603111, or Email – report@csa.gov.gh.

Issued by the Cyber Security Authority on March 28, 2025, the public alert underscores the growing threat of cybercrime in Ghana and the need for heightened awareness during festive seasons.

Source: Kweku Zurek ( Graphic Online)

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Commission have launched a broadband mapping project to identify connectivity gaps in Africa.

• The initiative, covering 11 countries, has a €15 million ($16.2 million) budget over four years.
• While it aims to boost broadband access, it remains limited in scope, with no confirmation of future expansion.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has officially launched the implementation of its Africa-BB-Maps project, a broadband mapping initiative designed to bridge connectivity gaps in Africa. Developed in partnership with the European Commission, the project will help governments and policymakers pinpoint underserved areas and plan network expansion accordingly.

The ITU explained that Broadband mapping, combined with modern geographic information systems (GIS) and data-driven decision-making, makes it easier to identify connectivity gaps, extend networks to critical areas, and support evidence-based policy decisions.

The initiative was announced during a regional event on broadband mapping, held on March 26-27, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. It follows an initial introduction of the project at the 2024 ITU Global Symposium for Regulators in Kampala, Uganda.

Currently, Africa-BB-Maps covers 11 countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. The project has been allocated a budget of €15 million ($16.2 million) over four years.

The launch comes as African governments work toward their goal of achieving near-universal broadband access by 2030, as outlined in the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020-2030. Despite these efforts, broadband penetration remains low. According to the GSM Association (GSMA), only 27% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa—about 320 million people—currently use mobile internet. Of the 870 million people still offline, 160 million live in areas with no broadband coverage at all.

While the Africa-BB-Maps project could accelerate broadband adoption in Africa, it remains limited to a small number of countries on a continent with over 50 nations. So far, neither the ITU nor the European Commission has confirmed whether the initiative will be expanded in the future.

Source: Ecofin Agency

The overlord of the Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale I, has commended MTN Ghana for establishing a new regional office in Damongo, describing it as a significant step towards employment creation and rapid development in his kingdom.

According to the King, the presence of MTN in Damongo will greatly alleviate the economic burden on his people and eliminate the need to travel to Tamale and Wa in the Northern and Upper West regions to access MTN services.

In a press release signed by his secretary, Abdul Samed Abdulai, Yagbonwura praised MTN for its swift response to his request for a regional office.

“Indeed, you are a true, loyal, and trusted partner in development. In less than a year since my request, you have fulfilled it. I have no doubt that this will create employment opportunities for the youth and reduce the cost of traveling to other regions for your services,” the King stated.

Yagbonwura assured MTN Ghana of a peaceful and supportive environment for its operations in the region.

He also urged the telecom giant to prioritise local recruitment, emphasising the availability of skilled human resources within the Savannah Region.

“As partners, we have capable human resources here in Savannah, so do not look beyond the region when recruiting workers for your new office,” he appealed.

In a related development, a three-member delegation from MTN Ghana visited Damongo to inspect the site of the new regional office. The delegation included Adwoa Baah, Senior Manager for Retailing in Northern Ghana, and Kwami Aseye Akude, Manager for Retail Experience.

Source: Isaac Nongya (My JoyOnline)

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the importance of global connectivity, AI governance, and sustainability, emphasizing the need for industry-wide collaboration to tackle pressing digital challenges.

Speaking to Mobile World Live, Bogdan-Martin acknowledged the growing complexity of discussions around connectivity but remained optimistic about progress. “Everyone, whether it’s industry or government, believes in the power of connectivity. So, we’re focused on that goal to connect the unconnected,” she stated.

However, she noted that bridging the digital divide remains a major challenge, with 2.6 billion people remaining in “digital darkness.” The ITU estimates that bridging this connectivity gap will likely require about $1.6 trillion in investment, with a focus on building infrastructure, ensuring affordability, and creating digital skills.

In addition, Bogdan-Martin highlighted AI’s role in climate action, emphasizing that while AI is an “energy-hungry and water-thirsty” technology, it can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions when implemented effectively. She pointed to the ITU’s efforts in advancing green digital standards and initiatives like the Green Digital Action Coalition launched at COP29, which attracted around 1,000 signatories.

Addressing the digital gender gap, the ITU chief noted that fewer women work in the digital and AI sectors. “We’re pushing to get girls excited about careers in the STEM field,” she said, stressing the need to ensure access to economic opportunities through digital inclusion.

Bogdan-Martin urged a range of stakeholders, including governments, telecom operators, satellite providers, and academic actors, to take collective action, stating that digital access is critical to economic growth and resilience. She pointed to the ITU’s Partner2Connect initiative, which secured $73 billion in commitments towards bridging the connectivity gap and aims to hit $100 billion by next year.

Ultimately, despite the challenges, she stated, “I am optimistic, because we see commitments being made.”

Source: Mobile World Live